MDI Biological Laboratory Names New President

BAR HARBOR, ME, UNITED STATES - May 10, 2018 - BAR HARBOR, MAINE - The board of trustees and staff of the MDI Biological Laboratory are pleased to announce that Hermann Haller, M.D., has been named the next president of the 120-year-old research institution. Haller will begin his appointment on July 26, 2018.

“Dr. Haller’s outstanding reputation as an international leader in kidney disease, hypertension and kidney and blood vessel regeneration, as well as his long association with the MDI Biological Laboratory, will be invaluable as we continue to build a world-class research program in the biology of regeneration and aging,” said Peter J. Allen, M.D., chair of the board of trustees.

“Haller is a well-respected leader and distinguished physician scientist,” Allen continued. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him in strengthening the research and educational programs at the MDI Biological Laboratory.”

Haller has been associated with the MDI Biological Laboratory for over two decades, and has served as a member of the faculty since 2007. He is also a full professor and chairman of the Division of Nephrology at the Hannover Medical School in Germany.

“The MDI Biological Laboratory has played an enormously important role in our understanding of kidney, cardiac, vascular and liver diseases over the last 120 years and I look forward to working with the board, faculty, visiting faculty, staff and our many supporters in continuing to build on this extraordinary legacy as we seek to understand our ability to repair the damage caused by disease and injury,” Haller said.

Haller received his medical degree at the Free University of Berlin and completed his postdoctoral work at Yale University. He has published more than 700 peer-reviewed articles, holds six world-wide patents and has founded four biotech companies. He has received numerous honors and awards and serves on numerous advisory boards, including Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genzyme and Novo Nordisk.

Haller will succeed Kevin Strange, Ph.D., who will step down on July 25 after serving in the role for nine years and after overseeing a significant expansion of the institution’s research and educational programs.

"I'm very pleased Hermann is taking the reins,” Strange said. “I know the faculty and staff are looking forward to working with him. Hermann is a great colleague and has been extremely supportive of my efforts over the last nine years to transform the MDI Biological Laboratory into a world-class research institution with a cutting-edge focus.”

“I am honored to build upon the tremendous work of Dr. Strange in strengthening the research and educational programs of the MDI Biological Laboratory,” Haller stated. “Thanks to his extraordinary efforts we are well positioned as an international center in the fields of regenerative medicine and aging.”

About the MDI Biological Laboratory 

We are pioneering new approaches to regenerative medicine focused on developing drugs that activate our natural ability to heal, and that slow age-related degenerative diseases. Our unique approach has already identified potential new therapies that could revolutionize treatments for heart disease, muscular dystrophy, nerve damage and more. We are also committed to catalyzing Maine’s economic growth through the Maine Center for Biomedical Innovation, which prepares students for 21st century careers and equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and resources to advance human health and improve quality of life. For more information, please visit mdibl.org.